A reporter and driver from the Sowetan newspaper have been held hostage
for six hours by a group of people at the school of the embattled
Jackie Maarohanye – the principal of the Ithutheng Trust school in
Kliptown, writes Phumza Sokana on the Sowetan's website.
Gauteng police spokesman Constable Sefako Xaba said Vusi Ndlovu had arranged for an interview with Maarohanye and, when he got there at noon, was met by a "large" group of people.
"They allowed the men in, pretending to be taking them to Maarohanye. Once inside, they locked them in a room where they assaulted and insulted them," said Xaba.
The group – which apparently had a meeting at Maarohanye’s school – demanded to see the editor of the newspaper.
"He phoned news editor Willie Bokala who alerted the police."
Police negotiators managed to release the men around 6.30pm. A case of kidnapping was opened with Kliptown police.
"No arrests have been made yet, but legal action will definitely be taken against these people soon. What they have done is totally unacceptable," said Xaba.
Sowetan and Sunday World editor-in-chief Thabo Leshilo condemned Maarohanye’s "deplorable" act in the strongest possible terms.
Click here to read the full report, posted on the Sowetan's website